A Noblivity Interview with Dinna Solimon…”My style is very sexy. I like form-fitting clothes and garments that accentuate the body.”, Dinna Solimon
Noblivity: How did you get started?
Dinna: I started off as an executive assistant doing clerical work at a fashion company just to get my foot into the door. Within a couple of months I proved to them that I could be a designer and I was promoted to design assistant. I eventually worked my way up to a design director for another company and after about 7 years in the industry I started my own clothing line.
Noblivity: What inspires your designs?
Dinna: I get inspiration a lot of time from technical fabrics, sporting equipment. Also materials from hardware stores fascinate me.
Noblivity: How would you describe your design style?
Dinna: My style is very sexy. I like form-fitting clothes and garments that accentuate the body. I balance that with the fabrics and materials that I use so that the designs are not overly provocative.
Noblivity: What designers inspire you?
Dinna: I admire Yohji Yamamoto, Martin Margiela, Rae Kawakubo.
Noblivity: What obstacles did you have to overcome?
Dinna: The biggest obstacle for me was realizing that my goal was obtainable.
Noblivity: How did you overcome them?
Dinna: I don’t think about possible failure and only look forward. (I definitely doubt myself sometimes, but I have to keep reminding myself to not think negatively)
Noblivity: What has been your greatest moment on your journey so far?
Dinna: Having customers find my contact info and say that they love my clothing and telling me about the event that they wore it to. Some even send me pictures!
Noblivity: Where are you headed personally and professionally?
Dinna: Personally, I am headed to Saudi Arabia for a family trip in March! I can’t wait! Other than that I have no idea what my personal life holds for me in the future. Professionally I am looking to expand both Dinna Soliman and DONUTS by DINNA to become a world-recognized brand and to expand the brands to include men’s, accessories and fragrance.
Noblivity: If money were no object what would you do right now?
Dinna: Open my own store in New York. I would build it out of Legos! (or at least the inside J)
Noblivity: What are the best and worst things about being a designer?
Dinna: The best thing is seeing people in your clothing and having them tell you how much they love it. The worst thing is that you only spend a small percentage of your time actually designing!
Noblivity: Describe your typical day?
Dinna: Chaos, sketching, selling, more chaos, working out, paperwork, more chaos, sleep
Noblivity: What’s your philosophy of life?
Dinna: Breathe
Noblivity: What’s your favorite meal time setting?
Dinna: Any place that involves olives and friends!
Noblivity: If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently?
Dinna: Go to culinary school. Just kidding (sort of ) No, seriously, nothing.
Noblivity: When will you know you have made it?
Dinna: When I have my store made out of Legos!
The Dinna Solimon Collection is available @ The MarketPlace Noblivity.com
